Gráfica Almondina achieves 60% energy savings and cuts set up times with Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1e

Langenhagen, Germany | 5 March 2024

Gráfica Almondina has chosen to drive its digital transformation with an investment in an AccurioJet KM-1e colour UV inkjet printer and an AccurioPress C4080 colour digital production press from Konica Minolta.


The Portuguese religious printer, established in 1919, has an important social presence in the local community. At the end of 2023, it decided to enhance the quality of its print, increase its production flexibility, and expand its application capabilities with investment in Konica Minolta’s digital printing technology. 

“We have invested in our print production capabilities to adapt to the changing market and better meet the needs of our customers,” said Priest Ricardo Madeira, CEO. “We wanted to increase our flexibility with regards to producing a wider range of run lengths – particularly short and middle runs – and to expand into new applications. We also wanted to be able to offer a wider choice of printed applications to market.” 

Gráfica Almondina also plans to offer a highly responsive and sustainable approach to production, with long runs completed on existing litho technology mid and shorter, and even runs of one, produced on the new digital additions. “We can now comfortably produce anything from single prints to runs of millions,” says Priest Madeira. “We also wanted to be able to manage a wider range of substrates including synthetics so we can add new application possibilities.” 

Priest Madeira is looking forward to introducing savings as well: “We will be able to reduce waste and save up to 60% on the energy consumed in comparison to litho production. Both presses are so easy to use and set up is as much as 40 minutes faster which means our operators can get them up and running and then be free to work on something else.” 

Working with a trusted partner was important too. He says: “One of the main reasons we chose Konica Minolta was that we knew we wanted to work with an expert in digital transformation. We could then trust that we would be fully supported throughout our journey in making digital printing a more integral part of our offering.  That includes expanding our sales team to have a greater focus on digital print. We know we need to develop a strong digital mindset and Konica Minolta is the best positioned and the right partner to help us do that.” 

Masashi Morii, Head of Centre of Competence KM-1, at Konica Minolta Europe, said: “Making a significant commitment to digital transformation is a huge step for any operation, but particularly so for one like Gráfica Almondina that has been producing print for more than 100 years and is now seeing the potential that digital printing affords."

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In a true partnership approach, we are proud to support Priest Madeira and his team on their exciting journey to help them ignite printing possibilities towards a highly flexible and agile future. Our collaborations represent our commitment to revolutionising printing technologies and improving operational efficiencies with end-to-end ecosystems.

Masashi Morii

Head of Centre of Competence KM-1, at Konica Minolta Europe


From left to right: Fr. Ricardo Madeira – CEO, Ana Conde – Finance and HR Director, Hilário Galiano – PP & IP Sales Manager,
Rui Panão – IP Sales Consultant Commercial & Packing

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About Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe


Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH, based in Langenhagen, Germany, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta Inc., Tokyo, Japan. With its unique expertise in imaging, data processing and data-based decision making, Konica Minolta creates relevant solutions for its customers - small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises and public sector - and solves issues faced by society.


As a digital workplace solution provider, Konica Minolta helps its clients to identify and unlock the potential digitalisation holds and reach the next level in the digital maturity of their organisation by rethinking the workplace. In support of an ‘Intelligent connected workplace’, Konica Minolta offers cloud, IT, managed print and video solution services for remote working, collaboration, workflow management and automation and security. The company’s success in driving transformation is also confirmed by IDC, since the ‘IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Print Transformation 2023 Vendor Assessment’ has named Konica Minolta a “Leader” in print transformation. Konica Minolta has been a Microsoft Global Managed Partner since 2021.


Konica Minolta's Igniting Print Possibilities offering helps printers, converters and brand owners maximise workflow automation to increase efficiency. The company delivers consultancy in all communication matters as well as top-of-the-line production, packaging as well as label printers. Its finishing devices create print products that stand out and create added value. Konica Minolta has established itself as the production printing market leader for more than a decade in Europe (InfoSource).


For an increasing number of organisations, success today is more than the narrow definition of financial prosperity – it also includes protecting the environment and having a positive impact on their workforce as well as the societies they are embedded in. With its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Konica Minolta has pledged to consistently pursue its sustainability and social responsibility goals.


The company has been repeatedly recognised for its rich history of social contribution as well as for working towards achieving the SDGs throughout its business and supply chain. Konica Minolta received a GOLD Level Recognition Medal in the EcoVadis sustainability ratings for 2024.


For its remote services, Konica Minolta was awarded the prestigious ‘Buyers Lab (BLI) 2023-2024 Pacesetter Award in Remote Service for the Western European market’ from Keypoint Intelligence.


Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe is represented by subsidiaries and distributors in more than 80 countries in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. With more than 8,700 employees (as of April 2023), Konica Minolta Europe earned net sales of over EUR 2.26 billion in financial year 2022/2023.


Worldwide, the company has over 39,000 employees and is operating in over 150 countries.


For more information, please visit https://www.konicaminolta.eu/eu-en/news and follow Konica Minolta on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.


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Contact

Contact

Silke Ehmann-Cotichini

Team Manager Brand Positioning & Architecture, Content Strategy & Development

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH

silke.ehmann-cotichini@konicaminolta.eu

+49 (0)511 7404-5604